Two who died in Taunton plane crash tentatively identified

Sunday, August 25, 2013 -- Karen Beckwith

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Local Coverage

Sunday, August 25, 2013

Author(s):

Jack Encarnacao

Laurel J. Sweet

Authorities have tentatively identified the two people who died this morning when their small plane crashed on takeoff at Taunton Municipal airport as pilot, John Schmouth, 69, of Brockton and passenger, Roland Deslauriers, 61, of Bridgewater, a spokesman for Bristol District Attorney C. Samuel Sutter said tonight.

"Although next of kin notifications have been made and investigators believe they have identified both victims, the confirmed identities of the two victims will not officially be known until the Medical Examiner's Office conducts autopsies on the remains," DA spokesman Gregg Miliote said.

Efforts to identify the men were hampered by the fact the aircraft was “severely consumed” by fire and recently changed ownership, investigators said this afternoon.

The only known witness to the tragedy reported the 1946 Aeronca 7AC two-seater, a light-utility plane commonly known as “the Champ,” made a right turn shortly after takeoff and plunged to the ground, where it burst into flames, destroying even the tail number, said Luke Schiada, a senior safety investigator for the National Transportation Safety Board, said at the site of the charred wreck.

The 65-horsepower plane, manufactured for recreational pilots and flight training, is not equipped with a black box. The public airport does not have a control tower and Schiada said the pilot would not have been required to file a flight plan.

Attempts to reach airport manager Daniel Raposa have been unsuccessful.

Taunton Police Sgt. Emmanuel DaRosa confirmed two people were killed in the crash at King Field shortly after 6:30 a.m.

Schiada cautioned, “We’re not talking about cause” today as investigators were concentrating on documenting the damage and trying to positively identify the victims. He said it’s believed the pilot had a friend on board. He said recovery crews had to cut part of the airplane off to remove them.

Officials on scene include: MassDOT Aeronautics, the Federal Aviation Administration, state and Taunton police, Taunton firefighters and the state Medical Examiner’s Office.

There are 102 single-engine planes based at Taunton Municipal Airport, according to the FAA.